Tone-producing triangle



April 1, 1930. c. KlTCHlNG TONE PRODUCING TRIANGLE Filed April 9, 192a biz/677,604 I C PMSKZZOM/ m ya i atentecl Apr. 1 1930 PATENT OFFICE CYRUS KITCHING, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS TONE-PRODUCING TRIANGLE Application filed. April 9, 1928. Serial No. 268,671.

This invention relates to improvements in tone producing triangles, and more particularly to triangles to be used for the instruction of children in the fundamentals of music as is ordinarily carried on in elementary schools.

The triangle as an instrument capable of producing a clear resonant tone when struck with a suitable hammer, has long been in use in orchestras, and as such has been made of round bars of metal bent into triangular shape and suspended from any convenient point. The objection to the ordinary type of triangle for school work is the fact that it is diiiicult to manipulate owing to the ease with which it spins or turns about the point of suspension when struck by the inexpert hand of the child, and consequently, quite useless for elementary instruction. I have therefore provided an improved design for triangles, together with a support therefor, which will not spin no matter how it is struck in producing a tone or a succession of tones.

As shown in the drawing, the triangle A is formed of flat bar stock, that is, a metal bar of a width considerably greater than its thickness,for example, of an inch in width and of an inch in thickness. Otherwise, the shape of the triangle is the same as heretofore followed, namely, equilateral and of a size to produce a tone of the desired pitch. As essential to the production of clear tones, the ends of the bars are separated at one apex. It is also necessary to provide a support for the triangle which will allow it to hang free without damping the vibrations. I have devised such a support as well as one which will coact with the triangle to prevent the undesired spinning or twisting movement.

A handle B which may be held in the hand or fixed to some support in a horizontal position, has at its free end a short loop C of some flexible material, such as cord or gut, the latter being quite satisfactory for the purpose. The ends of the loop C are secured to or through the handle B at points spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the width of the triangle at the apex, with the intermediate portion hanging in a relatively flat U or loop as shown in the drawing.

Thus by suspending the triangle A from the loop C, on the underside of the handle B, it can be struck with a suitable striker without its twisting or spinning about its vertical axis. This non-twisting feature is manifestly due in part to the increased width of the triangle, as by the use of flat bar material in its making, and in part to the shallow loop from which the triangle is suspended, this combination affording a practical one for primary and school instruction purposes.

I claim as my invention:

A tone producing instrument comprising a triangle formed from a flat metal bar, and a handle having a relatively short flexible g loop adapted to support said triangle in suspended position from an apex thereof and against rotation when the same is struck.

Signed at Chicago, 111., this 3rd day of April, 1928. 7

CYRUS KITCHING. 

